Grape plant named ‘Prophecy’

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new and distinct variety of grape plant designated #194-95, “Prophecy”, which produces small, round, blue-black colored fruit suitable for red wine production. It combines late bud-break and ripening, excellent disease resistance, extremely high vigor, moderate productivity, and good mechanical harvestability with high wine quality chemistry and excellent flavors.

Latin name: Vitis vinifera.

Varietal denomination: ‘Prophecy’.

BACKGROUND

Most grape varieties used for production of high quality wines aroundthe world are of the species Vitis vinifera. However, varieties of Vitisvinifera are susceptible to phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliaeshimer, formerly Phylloxera vitafoliae filch or Phylloxera vastatrixplanchon,) the most widely known aphid or root louse. Because of itsdestruction of grapevines the world over, Vitis vinifera, in most areas,is normally grafted to phylloxera-tolerant rootstock to providelongevity and viability to grapevine plantings.

Grafting is time-consuming and expensive, and requires skilled labor. Bycreating a genetic cross of Vitis vinifera and phylloxera-tolerantvines, a hybrid may be realized which is tolerant to phylloxera and ofhigh wine quality. The new hybrid may be reproduced by rooted cuttingsand will require less specialized cultural practices to maintain in thevineyard, thereby reducing cost and labor to produce a high qualitywine.

A new cultivar of grape, #194-95, called ‘Prophecy’ is described herein.The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Munson’(Jaeger No. 70-a Vitis lincecumii-rupestris hybrid)×‘Cabernet Sauvignon’(Vitis vinifera-Clone No. 169) made in 1995. The resulting seedlingvines were planted in a vineyard near Altus, Ark. in 1999.

The vines fruited in 2001 and one vine, designated #194-95, was selectedfor its excellent plant health, extreme vigor, excellent fruit flavorand late season ripening.

This new hybrid is late to ripen. Vintners and grape growers desirevarieties that differ in ripening time so that the harvest labor andequipment, and vinification facilities are optimally utilized. Alater-ripening red wine grape would result in enhanced ease ofvinification because the climate is cooler during the later season, andwould naturally be of great economic value to vintners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinctive cultivar of grape originated from a handpollinated cross of ‘Munson’ (Jaeger No. 70-a Vitis lincecumii-rupestrishybrid)×‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ (Vitis vinifera-Clone No. 169) made in 1995at a vineyard located near Altus, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). ‘Munson’was used as the female parent and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ Clone No. 169 wasused as the male parent.

The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinatedin a garden on a vineyard property near Altus Ark. in 1996. The vinesproduced from these seeds were fruited during the growing season of 2001and one seedling vine, designated Post 194-95, was selected for itsexcellent plant health, extreme vigor, and excellent fruit quality forwine and late season ripening.

During 2002 the original plant selection was propagated asexually fromhard wood cuttings, at the above noted location, and a test row of 25plants was established in 2003. Subsequently, a larger planting has beenestablished in 2006 at the same location.

During all asexual multiplications, the characteristics or the originalplant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.

The new cultivar has been named the ‘Prophecy’ cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing a grape plant of the cultivar ‘Prophecy’in dormancy.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the grape plant prior to bearing fruit.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing fully expanded rachis at pre-bloom(flower buds).

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing the upperside of a leaf of the plant.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing immature fruit on the plant.

FIG. 6 is a photograph showing ripening fruit on the plant

FIG. 7 is a photograph showing mature fruit on the plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘PROPHECY’

Plants and fruits of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from itsparents. The new cultivar is late ripening, demonstrates excellent planthealth, extreme vigor, and excellent fruit quality for wine production.

The new variety has a perfect flower, as does “CabernetSauvignon”-unlike the “Munson” parent which has repressed stamens (whichwould make the plant not self-fertile.) The growth habit of the newvariety is semi-drooping, in this case differing from both parents.“Munson” has a semi-erect growth habit, and “Cabernet Sauvignon” has aerect growth habit.

The new variety is moderately resistant to most common fungus diseasesof grape vines. Under normal disease control programs, the vines andfruit have demonstrated good freedom from black rot [Guignardiabidwellii (Ell.) V. & R.], powdery mildew [Uncinula necalor Burr.], anddowny mildew [Plasmopora vilicola Berl. & Tomi.]. Susceptibility toanthracnose [Elsinoe ampelina (d By.) (Sher)] is similar to that ofDelaware, and is controlled by use of available fungicides. The fruit ofthe new variety has shown no inclination toward splitting followingrains.

The date of ripening of the new variety is distinctly different fromboth parents. “Munson” (the female parent) ripens on the same date as“Cynthiana” (Vitis aestivalis). “Cabernet Sauvignon” (the male parent)ripens fifteen (15) days later than “Cynthiana.” The new variety ripenstwenty-nine (29) days later than “Cynthiana” and twelve (12) days before“Noble” (Vitis rotundifolia). Note: dates are taken from 2006 HarvestRecords, Altus, Ark.

The fruit of the new variety has been used in juice and wine production,and has not been evaluated for cold storage nor shippingcharacteristics. Most berries adhere well to the fruit pedicel, howeverdue to a tendency to ripen unevenly on the bunch, approximately 5% ofthe berries on a bunch may be subject to easy shattering because ofover-ripeness.

The plant is also frost tolerant. Early in the 2007 growing season theALTUS AVA (American Viticultural Area) experienced a devastating freezeevent. On April 8^(th) low temperatures were 27° F. for 6 hours durationand on April 9^(th) the low temperatures were 26° F. for 11 hoursduration. The Altus AVA bunch grape cultivars productivity was reducedto 0-10% of normal crop levels for the 2007 growing season. On April27^(th) the Prophecy cultivar plants were evaluated for freeze damage.The scale of measure used for the evaluation was as follows: 1-10 with 1being 0-10% viable buds and 10 being 90-100% viable buds. The 194-95(‘Prophecy’) cultivar received a score of 8.5 (85% viable buds). TheChambourcin control cultivar in the same test row received a score of 1(0-10% viable buds). Thus, ‘Prophecy’ is much more frost tolerant thanother cultivars in the Altus AVA.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject grape. Color data are presented in RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart designations. Where dimensions,sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to beunderstood that such characteristics are approximations of averages setforth as accurately as practicable. Numbers are often presented as anaverage with the range of observations presented in parenthesisthereafter.

Plants used for botanical data were four or five years old and grown ina vineyard near Altus, Ark. For collection of the botanical datapresented below the edition of The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart used was 1986, Edition No. 2.

-   Shoots/canes:    -   -   Date of bud break.—March 27th, Altus, Ark.        -   Young shoots.—26 cm (24-28) in length. Diameter at base 0.78            cm (0.69-0.88). Diameter at midpoint 0.52 cm (0.48-0.54).            Diameter at terminal 0.24 cm (0.21-0.26). Internode length            7.79 cm (6.62-8.51). Shoot attitude: semi-drooping. Shoot            color was not consistent Shaded side - yellow green group            146C. Sunlight side - greyed purple group 183A more red on            sunlight exposed side. Anthocyanin was present on the            sunlight exposed side        -   Mature Canes (fall/winter).—Diameter at base 1.04 cm            (0.95-1.17). Diameter at midpoint 0.60 cm (0.50-0.68).            Diameter at terminal 0.37 cm (0.28-0.42). Color at base            greyed orange group 166D. Anthocyanin was not present. Color            at midpoint greyed orange group 165D. Anthocyanin was not            present. Color at terminal greyed orange group 164D.            Anthocyanin was not present. Internode length at base 3.53            cm (2.72-5.16). Internode length at midpoint 6.23 cm            (4.22-7.45). Internode length at terminal 6.14 cm            (4.77-7.22). Lenticels were not present.        -   Total cane length (average at end of season).—352 cm            (174-495).        -   Pruning weight.—6.86 lbs/vine — grown on Geneva Double            Curtain (GDC).            -   Vine height.—238.76 cm (223.52-256.54). Trellis height                was 182.88 cm and vine height above the trellis was                66.04 cm (48.26-86.36).        -   Vine width.—182.88 cm.        -   Tendril (mature) pattern on shoot.—2nd node was the first            seen and the pattern was opposite nodes and constant. Total            length 14.55 cm (10.7-20.0). Forked (y or n) yes. Color            brown group 200A. Anthocyanin was present. Texture was            smooth.        -   Cane wood maturity at leaf fall.—Shoot tips were not woody.            Mostly mature. Growth habit was a combination of procumbent            and upright. Procumbent (American type) on cordon. Upright            (V. vinifera type) at head of plant.-   Trunk: Four-year-old plants were measured at 20 cm above soil level    to determine typical trunk diameter. Range was 42.0 mm-61.5 mm. Mean    was 49.9 mm. Texture of the trunk was rough and peeling. Color of    the trunk is Brown Group 200D.-   Mature buds (compound buds):    -   -   Average number of buds on a mature cane.—82.8 (38-106).        -   Dormant bud (eye) width(mm) 4.9 mm (3.0-6.0).        -   Shape.—Spade (round point shovel).        -   Color.—Greyed orange group 166B.        -   Texture. —(smooth, etc) smooth.-   Leaves: Simple and alternate. Shape is orbicular. Lobe number 5    shallow lobes. Petiole sinus is half-open. Venation palmate.    Serrated margin. Rugose (rough texture-not smooth.). Teeth shape are    convex. Teeth length are medium.    -   -   Leaf length and width, without petiole.—Length: 106.98 mm            (range: 92.58 mm-113.63 mm). Width: 149.44 mm (range: 123.73            mm-166.28 mm).        -   Color of the leaves.—Young shoots base abaxial 146B yellow            green. Anthocyanin was present in main and secondary veins.            Young shoots base adaxial 137C green. Anthocyanin was not            present. Young shoots midpoint abaxial 146B yellow green.            Anthocyanin was present in main and secondary veins. Young            shoots midpoint adaxial 137C green. Anthocyanin was present            in main and secondary veins. Young shoots terminal abaxial            144A yellow green. Anthocyanin was present on sunlight half            of leaf. Young shoots terminal adaxial 144A yellow green.            Anthocyanin was present on sunlight half of leaf. Mature            leaves base abaxial 146B yellow green. Anthocyanin was not            present. Mature leaves base adaxial 137A green. Anthocyanin            was present at point of origin of veins-extending 0.2 mm            distal. Mature leaves midpoint abaxial 146B yellow green.            Anthocyanin was not present. Mature leaves midpoint adaxial            137A green. Anthocyanin was not present. Mature leaves            terminal abaxial 146B yellow green Anthocyanin was not            present Mature leaves terminal adaxial 137A green.            Anthocyanin was not present. Mature leaf abaxial vein            Yellow-Green Group 146D Amount of pubescence on mature            leaves sparse-erect. Present on: the Midrib, main veins and            secondary veins. Petiole color of young leaves 141C green.            Anthocyanin was present on the sunlight side of petiole.            Pubescence on young leaves was very light. Present on: the            Midrib, main veins and secondary veins.        -   Petiole length and diameter.—Length: 100.14 (range: 76.95            mm-108.87 mm). Width (measured at mid-point): 3.25 mm            (range: 2.77 mm-3.64 mm).        -   Petiole color of mature leaves.—145A yellow green.            Anthocyanin was present and continuous on adaxial half of            petiole-most color at leaf end of petiole Pubescence on            mature leaf petioles was sparse-erect        -   Depth of sinus of mature leaf.—2.82 cm (2.65-3.27).        -   Width of sinus of mature leaf (widest point).—2.88 cm            (2.13-3.49). Sinus lobes are open-   Flowers/clusters:    -   -   Date first bloom.—May 9, 2007* *mean time of flowering.        -   Date full bloom.—May 15, 2007* when grown in Altus,        -   Date last bloom.—May 19, 2007* Ark.        -   Stamen color.—11C yellow.        -   Stamen number.—5.        -   Pistil number.—1.        -   Pistil length.—0.26 cm (0.25-0.28).        -   Pistil color.—144A yellow green.        -   Petal color.—N/A.        -   Sepal.—Number 5.        -   Sepal color.—144B yellow green.        -   Pollen color.—15B yellow orange.        -   Individual flower dimensions.—0.53 cm (0.50-0.58) Length and            0.55 cm (0.52-0.59) Width.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—191 (159-279).        -   Flower fragrance.—Yes.        -   Cluster shape.—Cylindrical, usually not shouldered.        -   Mature cluster length.—9.46 cm (7.69-12.1) with peduncle.        -   Mature cluster width.—2.18 cm (1.99-3.54).        -   Mature cluster weight.—1.0 gm (0.6-1.3).-   Fruit:    -   -   Date ripe.—09/10 through 09/24.        -   Berry weight.—1.86 gm.        -   Berry diameter at equator.—1.47 cm (1.34-1.62).        -   Berry diameter at base.—0.        -   Berry diameter at apex 0.—The berries are round.        -   Berry length.—1.47 cm (1.34-1.62).        -   Berry shape.—Round.        -   Berry color.—103A blue without bloom.        -   Berry flesh color.—Yellow group 11C, with minimal            anthocyanin pigment blending into the flesh Skin thickness            thin 0.02 cm. % SS 19.4 (2006) 13.7 (2007) 16 (2008). pH            3.3 (2006) 3.3 (2007) 3.27 (2008). Total acids 12.5 (2006)            11.5 (2007) 14.2 (2008). Berries/cluster 49.6 (22-72).            Cluster/vine 169 (142-196) GDC and 99 (84-109) single            curtain. Cluster/shoot 2-3. Seeds/berry 2.4 (1-3). Brush            length 12.22 cm (6.37-14.81). Average peduncle length 4.16            cm (2.27-5.05). Pedicel length 0.61 cm (0.54-0.70). Pedicel            diameter 0.17 cm (0.12-0.21). Pedicel color 144C yellow            green. Pedicel texture smooth. Pedicel lenticels not            abundant. Pedicel arrangement: 2 to 8 berries from a            branched point of origin from the secondary branch from the            rachis.-   Seeds: Seed length range was 5.81 mm-6.78 mm. Mean was 6.45. Seed    diameter range was 4.43 mm-5.24 mm. Mean was 7.75. Seed color was    Brown Group 200D.-   Productivity:    -   -   Double curtain.—(GDC) 12′×6′ spacing, 11.66 lb/plt, 0.126            lb/cluster.        -   Single curtain.—(SC) 10′×7′ spacing, 7.97 lb/plt, 0.092            lb/cluster.-   The variety: The most distinctive features of the variety are its    late ripening fruit, freeze tolerance, excellent plant health,    extreme vigor, and excellent fruit quality for wine production.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of grape plant named ‘Prophecy’,substantially as illustrated and described.